Nine things to know about gun background checks

Although gun-control activists hope to see an assault-weapons ban, it's not clear that could pass Congress. Instead, many expect the fight to focus instead on expanding background checks required for gun sales.

Gun buyers submit basic information for a background check.

Before buying a gun, prospective buyers submit their name, sex, race, date of birth and the state where they live to the FBI. They can also submit their Social Security Number, but they aren't required to.

Denials can be issued for several reasons.

Denverpost

(AP Photo/Robert Ray)

The biggest reason for denials is conviction for a major crime. Gun sales can also be denied because a prospective buyer has had a restraining order for domestic violence against them or has mental health issues, among other things.

Not every gun sale requires a background check.

Private sales are exempt from the background check system. That includes selling your gun to a friend, relative or stranger as well as many sales at gun shows.

Closing the gun show loophole is extremely popular.

In a December poll by USA Today and Gallup, 92 percent of adults surveyed supported requiring background checks for people buying guns at gun shows.

It's even popular among NRA members.

A survey conducted in July by noted Republican pollster Frank Luntz for the pro-gun control Mayors Against Illegal Guns found that 74 percent of NRA members supported requiring background checks for anyone purchasing a gun.

A task force will likely recommend expanding background checks.

Denverpost

(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Vice President Joe Biden has said that "universal background checks" for gun sales will likely be a major recommendation of his task force on gun violence.

Existing background checks may be toughened too.

With gun-control legislation up in the air in Congress, the White House is also looking at taking action on its own, such as increasing prosecutions for lying on background-check forms.